Dog treat vending machines won't be allowed at Bowmanville park

CLARINGTON -- Doggie-treat vending machines will not be allowed at the off-leash dog park for fear it could increase incidents of animal aggression.

When the off-leash park was created, one of the rules prohibited people from bringing food into the park for the safety of the animals and pet owners. The rationale is dogs are already excited at the park, and adding food could make them become uncharacteristically aggressive. Also many dogs are on special diets and there have been reports of animals being poisoned in nearby municipalities.

Bowmanville's off-leash dog park is on the fairly quiet West Beach Road. While it's regularly patrolled by animal services and operations staff, there is a possibility for theft and vandalism.

Those concerns were included in a staff report to council on Oct. 15, which recommended against allowing the vending machines at the dog park.

Council accepted the findings of the staff report and decided to deny a request to allow dog treat vending machines at the park.